How to control the air quality at home?

By Elisa

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The quality of the air we breathe can affect our health positively or negatively. Therefore, to ensure the health of the atmosphere in our homes, we mustScientists recommend a periodic air quality check of the interior of a house. This is also known as an air quality test. How does it work? We tell you everything in this article.

Calling on specialists

It is strongly recommended to call in a specialist to test the air quality in a house. There are indeed chemists specialized precisely in this field. If you live in Quebec, you can call upon this specialized laboratory for a air quality test in Longueuil.

The latter, like all professionals, have the equipment, the expertise and the experience necessary to carry out this type of control. They scrutinize the slightest detail (dust, mold?), the slightest smell in order to draw up a complete report concerning the quality of the air in your home. They are also competent to measure the radon (radioactive gas resulting from the decomposition of radium) thanks to a device planned for this purpose.

At the end of the diagnosis, they will give you some solutions to improve the quality of the atmosphere in your home.

Use of adapted devices

If you don't want an expert to come and inspect your house (which is recommended), you can use some special devices to do it yourself. These, of course, are especially designed for air quality control.

Air quality meters and CO2 detectors

Air quality meters or testers are small gadgets available over the counter. They are equipped with a screen (sometimes touch-sensitive) and indicate in real time the time, temperature, humidity level in your home and many other information. Data that is undoubtedly very useful to judge the quality of the air in your home.

In addition, there are also carbon dioxide detectors, which are small gadgets that measure the level of CO2 in the air inside a home. A level between 400 and 1000 ppm is acceptable. But from 1?500 ppm, you have to start worrying.

For these gadgets, you should expect to pay at least 100 euros to find reliable models. Ask the sellers for advice on how to use them.

Air analyzers

Air analyzers are more complex gadgets than CO2 detectors and air testers. They are designed to measure more complex gases such as formaldehyde (solvent), but also the quantity of certain compounds such as toluene, benzene and xylene present in inks, paint, etc. These devices are able to measure the temperature of the house and the hygrometry.

Automatic air purifiers

Air purifiers should not be on this list, but with the release of automatic air purifiers, it is difficult to put them aside. These devices are usually recommended after a diagnosis has proven the presence of high levels of pollutants. The purifiers will then be used to clean up the air in the room.

The automatic models are switched on as soon as excessive air pollution is detected. They can therefore be used as CO2 detectors or air analyzers, but with an immediate remediation function.

Paying attention to certain details

Even without the use of gadgets or a professional, you can personally check the air quality by examining certain details. The presence of brown or green stains on the ceiling and walls. Unpleasant odors and repeated allergic reactions of some inhabitants of the house. These are some of the details that may indicate a potential deterioration of the air quality.

Elisa

My name is Elisa. I make my own products at home and sell them to people who care about what they put in their homes. I love making candles, dishwashing products and laundry detergents. My favorite part is when my house smells good! When I'm not spending time with my family, you can probably find me on Instagram looking for new DIY ideas to try. I love reading other bloggers' posts and getting inspired by their ideas. I've learned a lot from other bloggers, and now I'd like to give back to them. If you feel like trying any of my home DIY projects, feel free to steal them!